Lately I have been thinking so much about weight because people feel the need to point out (as if I don’t already know) that I have packed on a few pounds.

In my quest to regain a slimmer waistline, I have thinking of other types of unnecessary weight people carry around that if they let go, they will travel lighter through this one life that they have been given.

The weightiest thing that you can burden yourself with is a bad relationship. This is a relationship with a person you very well know does nothing for your personal growth.

They are unwilling to evolve or to be better so you have to always pull yourself down in order to interact with them. You laugh at their repetitive unoriginal unwitty jokes. You put up with their selfishness and abuse.

But you can lose that weight. You can let these people go. You don’t have to stay in touch with that backstabber of a friend. You can cut off that relative who brings you down and causes you emotional and mental distress with their subtle and sometimes blatant unkind remarks.

Get out of that relationship where you feel unwanted or inadequate. Relationships are in such a way that if you have to cry, blackmail, threaten or plead with people to be or stay with you then you are wasting your energy and time. If you have to walk on eggshells around someone in order to keep them in your life you’ve already lost them.

You can walk away from that job which steals your time, frustrates your relationships, and threatens your health. The purpose of working is to be able to afford a life.

So what’s the whole point if you work so hard that you don’t have time to live? And the hard truth is that unless you are the founder of the company, you are replaceable. Whether you quit, or get carried out of your workplace in a stretcher, you will be replaced in the shortest time possible.

Lose the pride which keeps you from being true to yourself. You don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations. You don’t have to be a slave to appearances. Like what you like. Be with who you want to be with.

Live within your means. Don’t go borrowing money so you can take a flight because "how will it look if I arrive by bus?” You are the sole bearer of the consequences of your actions.

Don’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You are not God. There is only so much you can do. You don’t have to spread yourself thin. Help people yes, but within your means.

You shouldn’t have to dig a financial grave to get someone else out of a rut like my friend who was coerced into getting a loan on her estranged father’s behalf. You are allowed to enjoy the fruits of your hard work.

Lose actual weight. Life is already challenging enough without the ailments and limitations you could have avoided with a healthy diet and physical exercise.